Blackouts (loss of memory during intoxication) and hangovers (unpleasant physical symptoms after drinking) are common among young adults. Among college students, 40% report past-year blackouts and 87% report past-year hangover symptoms. Blackouts and hangovers can impact productivity, physical health, and well-being. Therefore, understanding contributing factors to blackouts and hangovers can help prevent high-risk drinking among college students. One factor that may be influential to alcohol consumption behaviors is one’s culture and values. This study examines the potential relationships of shame and resilience with Hispanic and non-Hispanic White (NHW) college students’ blackout and hangover experiences.
The study’s sample consisted of 381 Hispanic and 332 NHW college students from a university in central Texas. Participants completed an online survey that assessed alcohol use during the past six months, lifetime blackouts, and past-year hangover severity. The Internalized Shame Scale was used to assess lifetime feelings and experiences of shame. Lastly, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale was used to measure past-month resilience. Data was analyzed using path models to determine associations between resilience/shame with Hispanic ethnicity and blackouts/hangovers.
Results of the data analysis showed that rates of blackouts and hangover severity did not differ between Hispanic and NHW students. However, binge drinking rates did differ between the groups (64% Hispanic; 76% NHW). The path analysis showed that there was not an association between shame and blackouts/hangovers. Resilience was associated with blackouts and hangover severity. Stratified analyses showed that some components of resilience (competence/high standards/tenacity) were related to higher odds of experiencing blackouts for Hispanic but not NHW students. Competence/high standards/ tenacity was also positively associated with hangover severity for Hispanics. A dimension of resilience characterized by trusting one’s instincts and tolerance of negative affect affect was related to lower likelihood of experiencing blackouts for Hispanics but not NHW. The spiritual influences component of resilience was positively related to blackouts when examining the population as a whole.
Takeaway: Examining resilience may provide predictive value when assessing alcohol consumption behaviors among Hispanic college students.